Mick Bates promises 'No more Tirs for farmers over support payments'

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 13th Sep 2007

Mick Bates, Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson for the Environment, Planning and Countryside, has today criticised the Assembly Government for letting farmers down yet again through poor management of the Tir Gofal scheme.

"The farming community is an industry on its knees. Not only are we suffering from new outbreaks of foot and mouth, but the Assembly Government is failing farmers with late payments for Tir Gofal."

Tir Gofal is one of the most popular agri-environmental schemes, which has real environmental and economic benefits for the rural community. Management of the scheme recently passed to the Welsh Assembly but the Tir Gofal Farmers Association have called the move a 'shambles'. Mick echoes their concern:

"The Assembly Government is looking towards development of sustainable agriculture, but they are not helping by cutting budgets and delaying payments.

"Farmers are still awaiting payments which are months in arrears. The delays are causing heartache to all those whose livelihoods rely on these payments."

Looking forward Mick promises to pursue his campaign in support of agri-environment schemes:

"Welsh Liberal Democrats support the Tir Gofal scheme as a sustainable way to protect Welsh farming and countryside.

"The Tir Gofal scheme needs long term funding to ensure environmental benefits and stability for farmers. We need better administration of the scheme to ensure grant payments are made on time.

"The future of support money lies in agri-environment schemes and I shall continue to lobby and show my support for these schemes. We must protect our diverse Welsh countryside and safeguard the future for farming."

End / Diwedd